Glad it was helpful! I have quite a few Common Planner videos sharing the sizes, layouts etc. as well as using them. I don't buy or use her planners anymore but there's quite a few videos if you need them.
@@JustScribble This is awkward, I'm sorry! Just found out in IG you have already launched your own planner! Haha! I am truly sorry. But congratulations!! I am from the Philippines,and there is a group by for SI planner and came across your review hehe. I hope someday your planners will also reach our shores! Again, Congratulations! :)
@@JustScribble I'm tempted to buy b6, I'm just not sure if from Sterling Ink or Papertess Designs... both are pretty similar too, which makes it all the more difficult to choose 😅 for now I'll tune in for both your uploads for sure❤
@@JustScribble Oh wow, ok-- I'm SO looking forward to that comparison video! I already purchased PTD Yearly TN a few days ago, but I wouldn't mind having a notebook by Sterling Ink as well 👀
Catherine’s planners are sooo close to perfect for me. If she made a cover like papertss designs, which is absolutely perfect, soft and flexible and supple, and then had a bit darker lines like wonderland 222 it would be planner heaven for me! I do hope she has help with quality control, or a new place to have them bound because I’m one of the ones who just got the undated, put half my stickers in it which took me hours and then the binding split😢. It was very disappointing.
Agree with the quality control. Sterling Ink, like the other businesses which have launched similar planners & notebooks this past year, have their planners made in China 🇨🇳. Especially for these small businesses it’s really difficult to ensure quality of their products as generally you can expect the quality to be subpar and not up to our “Western” standards. It’s a headache to deal with these suppliers in China and the last thing you as a business want to do is skimp on costs and then deliver just mediocre quality planners in this case. My CP planner also fell apart after two months and I don’t even use many stickers, so I too am incredibly disappointed and went back to Hobonichi for now. Not sure if their products are actually produced in Japan or not, but their quality (control) is obviously stellar, similar to Stalogy and other Japanese brands. We will see what SI brings for 2024 and if the quality of the planners has significantly improved because I too absolutely love the layout and TRP paper of course! 🤞🏼🤞🏼❤
I’m very sorry you had issues with your undated. Definitely reach out to Sterling Ink and let them know. I’ve not had issues with my planners (dated or undated) or notebooks. But I know, especially when a shop first starts a venture like this there are some growing pains. Back in 2020 W222 had issues with their covers and bindings. Some folks had issues with them coming apart. I pulled out an unused notebook of theirs from that years launch to use recently and without any stickers or washi the binding split. But W222 has changed and modified their covers over the years and improved greatly. Catherine is just starting so Im hoping she’ll be given a little grace and I know she’ll continue to grow and learn as they make more planners and develop this part of their business.
@@JustScribble I couldn’t agree with you more. Catherine is a sweetheart and she did replace it. It really wasn’t about her product. It was about the fact that I waited so long for the undated took all that time to put them on and then it split. So disappointing. I put her clear cover on it and then I put it into a gillio but it was only in there for three days. So it was clearly a defective cover, but I should’ve checked it myself before I spent all that time.
I completely understand. That is very frustrating but I’m glad you got a replacement. I was curious if yours was the black linen cover or the mauve. Most of the issues I’ve seen have been with the black linen and I’m curious if yours was too. My 2023 is mauve and I haven’t had issues but my a5 is the black linen.
I like her mauve covers. They seem more like a stalogy cover when I hear it on the video as compared to the black. I don’t own this planner. I love the idea of it and I would love to find something similar in b6 slim without the TR paper. I hope this system works for you with your new job responsibilities.
I prefer the Mauve too. Kind of wish I'd gotten Mauve in the A5 as well - but at the time I didn't have a plan for it. But I can always recover it if I decide I want to...and the clear cover helps make it more me. I think the Mauve is more durable as well (though that's just a theory). B6Slim is a great size - a little harder to do in a vertical planner style but there are a few out there. Have you checked out the Jibun planner? It's not quite the same but they do have a vertical B6 slim and a daily and you could pair them together.
@@JustScribble I think your theory is right. I’m sure she’s probably already looking for replacements for next years product launch. I have looked into the jibun. I used it in 2021 and enjoyed it. Adding the days would double the cost. Maybe I should create my own or try to just force myself into using the b6 and carry on with my life. Why is the shape of the book so important! 🤣
@@MamaGraciePlans I understand the shape thing! And the size too! It’s so hard to find the right fit. For my personal life B6 is my happy place. I’ve used A5 and it’s worked and I can use B6slim but haven’t found a planner I love in that size - though a bujo in that would be an option. I did love when I was doing my bujo.
@@JustScribble I would get the mauve cover if it weren't...mauve. I am not into pastel colors, especially pinks and pale purples. I would love a deep green or teal, personally. I have one of the dated B6 half year planners (I bought just the one for the 2nd half of 2023), and I actually really like the black linen cover. I am *so* looking forward to using this. If I like it, I'll be switching from my A6 Hobonichi Planner (English) for 2024, after using that exclusively for five years. Feels like a big step! But the CP has the two things I want most: vertical week layouts and a more unstructured section for daily notes and writing.
Can you measure the monthly squares on the monthly layout? I want this planner but im hesitant bc im a monthly planner and I am worried the daily boxes are too small.
The A5 monthly boxes are approximately 1.25" (or 33mm) square. The B6 monthly boxes are approximately 1.125" (or 30mm) square. The boxes aren't 100% square but pretty close. Let me know if you want the exact measurements.
The full year A5 won’t fit in the Midori clear cover - it’s too thick. You’d have to get a clear cover from SterlingInk, Catspressoco or someone else that made one for this thick of a planner. But the half year fits in the Midori.
I’ve asked her to create one but if she does it won’t be anytime soon. She’s focusing on other sizes first. But her notebooks will come out this month though and very excited. I use a Takahashi passport planner and they are quite nice. I might have an extra 2023 if you need one. I can check
I didn’t mind the light grid but I will say thus is barely darker. It’s a tad easier to see in my work planner than my EDC but not much. She didn’t want it dark and I appreciate that. So I think you’ll like your A5. What are you planning to use it for?
@@JustScribble im not sure yet! I’ve the cousin the last couple years and I really like it. I journal , scrapbook and common place in my dailies and plan in the weekly and monthlies. My only gripe is the dated dailies. So I’m either going to keep using my cousin, to finish this year out and save the undated for next year, or switch. I think I’ll decide when it comes in the mail! Haha. I am excited to be able to use all my stamps for dating things though
@@daniellecolucci3470 sounds like a great plan! I love the Cousin in concept but don’t care for the dated dailies but more so all the quotes and wasted functional space so I’ve been loving the CP A5 I’m using for work. I’m still getting my bearings but it’s going well so far 😅
The goal is always for everyone to watch the entire video so they don't miss any important information. But I'll add chapters to it tomorrow so check back!
Agree with the quality control. Sterling Ink, like the other businesses which have launched similar planners & notebooks this past year, have their planners made in China 🇨🇳. Especially for these small businesses it’s really difficult to ensure quality of their products as generally you can expect the quality to be subpar and not up to our “Western” standards. It’s a headache to deal with these suppliers in China and the last thing you as a business want to do is skimp on costs and then deliver just mediocre quality planners in this case. My CP planner also fell apart after two months and I don’t even use many stickers, so I too am incredibly disappointed and went back to Hobonichi for now. Not sure if their products are actually produced in Japan or not, but their quality (control) is obviously stellar, similar to Stalogy and other Japanese brands. We will see what SI brings for 2024 and if the quality of the planners has significantly improved because I too absolutely love the layout and TRP paper of course! 🤞🏼🤞🏼❤
Sorry you had issues with your CP planner. I'm curious what cover you had on yours. I've got a theory brewing. Definitely can’t compare SI and their brand new to the market planner to Hobonichi and Stalogy which are huge companies that have been in the business for years - Hobonichi has been around for almost 25 years. Every business especially small shops that have less than handful of employees (if that) are going to have to navigate the business as they branch out into other arenas and they’ll improve as they go taking feedback along the way but they also start these ventures with very little capital resources and are doing their best to try to fill a void in the planner community and we have to give them a little grace. I’m sure the product will improve over time and as they develop more business relationships overseas. Other small planner brands hit speed bumps along the way too in their initial years and have continued to improve and are now thriving. I expect SI will do the same.
my CommonPlanner sadly didn't last either - I am now using a Wonderland222. Catherine of SterlingInk is lovely and the Commonplanner is a great concept, but to have a planner not last the start of a year, is disappointing. I am hoping the CommonPlanner issues will resolve and the quality will be consistently high in the future
![Kodak Black - Versatile 4 [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VcP_1Ua__vY/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for this review. Helps a lot in deciding what to get 😊
Glad it was helpful! I have quite a few Common Planner videos sharing the sizes, layouts etc. as well as using them. I don't buy or use her planners anymore but there's quite a few videos if you need them.
@@JustScribble Thanks, I will check it out :)
@@JustScribble This is awkward, I'm sorry! Just found out in IG you have already launched your own planner! Haha! I am truly sorry. But congratulations!! I am from the Philippines,and there is a group by for SI planner and came across your review hehe. I hope someday your planners will also reach our shores! Again, Congratulations! :)
I just got my A5 undated Common Planner. It’s much nicer than, I originally thought that it would be.😊 I might use it as my journal next year.
I'm so glad you like yours! It would make a great journal.
This review was so thorough, thank you so much! It makes me want to buy the b6...
Glad it was helpful! I love my B6! A full flip of the first half of the year is coming at the end of the month. And a PWM posts later today.
@@JustScribble I'm tempted to buy b6, I'm just not sure if from Sterling Ink or Papertess Designs... both are pretty similar too, which makes it all the more difficult to choose 😅 for now I'll tune in for both your uploads for sure❤
@@oftheseas similar but also very different. I have a video coming within the week on Papertess and comparing. That might be helpful.
@@JustScribble Oh wow, ok-- I'm SO looking forward to that comparison video! I already purchased PTD Yearly TN a few days ago, but I wouldn't mind having a notebook by Sterling Ink as well 👀
hi there, tania from Australia, love your videos, very informative! I've been dabbling with buying a sterling ink planner for a while now.
Hi Tania! Thank you so much for watching. I have not regretted my purchases from SI!
Catherine’s planners are sooo close to perfect for me. If she made a cover like papertss designs, which is absolutely perfect, soft and flexible and supple, and then had a bit darker lines like wonderland 222 it would be planner heaven for me!
I do hope she has help with quality control, or a new place to have them bound because I’m one of the ones who just got the undated, put half my stickers in it which took me hours and then the binding split😢. It was very disappointing.
Agree with the quality control. Sterling Ink, like the other businesses which have launched similar planners & notebooks this past year, have their planners made in China 🇨🇳. Especially for these small businesses it’s really difficult to ensure quality of their products as generally you can expect the quality to be subpar and not up to our “Western” standards. It’s a headache to deal with these suppliers in China and the last thing you as a business want to do is skimp on costs and then deliver just mediocre quality planners in this case. My CP planner also fell apart after two months and I don’t even use many stickers, so I too am incredibly disappointed and went back to Hobonichi for now. Not sure if their products are actually produced in Japan or not, but their quality (control) is obviously stellar, similar to Stalogy and other Japanese brands. We will see what SI brings for 2024 and if the quality of the planners has significantly improved because I too absolutely love the layout and TRP paper of course! 🤞🏼🤞🏼❤
I’m very sorry you had issues with your undated. Definitely reach out to Sterling Ink and let them know. I’ve not had issues with my planners (dated or undated) or notebooks. But I know, especially when a shop first starts a venture like this there are some growing pains. Back in 2020 W222 had issues with their covers and bindings. Some folks had issues with them coming apart. I pulled out an unused notebook of theirs from that years launch to use recently and without any stickers or washi the binding split. But W222 has changed and modified their covers over the years and improved greatly. Catherine is just starting so Im hoping she’ll be given a little grace and I know she’ll continue to grow and learn as they make more planners and develop this part of their business.
I'm curious - because I have a theory. What cover do you have on your SI that split?
@@JustScribble I couldn’t agree with you more. Catherine is a sweetheart and she did replace it. It really wasn’t about her product. It was about the fact that I waited so long for the undated took all that time to put them on and then it split. So disappointing.
I put her clear cover on it and then I put it into a gillio but it was only in there for three days. So it was clearly a defective cover, but I should’ve checked it myself before I spent all that time.
I completely understand. That is very frustrating but I’m glad you got a replacement. I was curious if yours was the black linen cover or the mauve. Most of the issues I’ve seen have been with the black linen and I’m curious if yours was too. My 2023 is mauve and I haven’t had issues but my a5 is the black linen.
That was extremely thorough! Thank you!
You're very welcome!
I like her mauve covers. They seem more like a stalogy cover when I hear it on the video as compared to the black. I don’t own this planner. I love the idea of it and I would love to find something similar in b6 slim without the TR paper. I hope this system works for you with your new job responsibilities.
I prefer the Mauve too. Kind of wish I'd gotten Mauve in the A5 as well - but at the time I didn't have a plan for it. But I can always recover it if I decide I want to...and the clear cover helps make it more me. I think the Mauve is more durable as well (though that's just a theory). B6Slim is a great size - a little harder to do in a vertical planner style but there are a few out there. Have you checked out the Jibun planner? It's not quite the same but they do have a vertical B6 slim and a daily and you could pair them together.
@@JustScribble I think your theory is right. I’m sure she’s probably already looking for replacements for next years product launch. I have looked into the jibun. I used it in 2021 and enjoyed it. Adding the days would double the cost. Maybe I should create my own or try to just force myself into using the b6 and carry on with my life. Why is the shape of the book so important! 🤣
@@MamaGraciePlans I understand the shape thing! And the size too! It’s so hard to find the right fit. For my personal life B6 is my happy place. I’ve used A5 and it’s worked and I can use B6slim but haven’t found a planner I love in that size - though a bujo in that would be an option. I did love when I was doing my bujo.
@@JustScribble I would get the mauve cover if it weren't...mauve. I am not into pastel colors, especially pinks and pale purples. I would love a deep green or teal, personally. I have one of the dated B6 half year planners (I bought just the one for the 2nd half of 2023), and I actually really like the black linen cover. I am *so* looking forward to using this. If I like it, I'll be switching from my A6 Hobonichi Planner (English) for 2024, after using that exclusively for five years. Feels like a big step! But the CP has the two things I want most: vertical week layouts and a more unstructured section for daily notes and writing.
Can you measure the monthly squares on the monthly layout? I want this planner but im hesitant bc im a monthly planner and I am worried the daily boxes are too small.
The A5 monthly boxes are approximately 1.25" (or 33mm) square. The B6 monthly boxes are approximately 1.125" (or 30mm) square. The boxes aren't 100% square but pretty close. Let me know if you want the exact measurements.
@@JustScribble THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO! SO SO SO HELPFUL!!!!! YOU ARE AMAZING FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REPLY! THANKS AGAIN!
@@TheBohemianHomemaker23 so happy to help!
Does the a5 fit the midori clear sleeve??
The full year A5 won’t fit in the Midori clear cover - it’s too thick. You’d have to get a clear cover from SterlingInk, Catspressoco or someone else that made one for this thick of a planner. But the half year fits in the Midori.
Hi, where did you get those clear tabs TIA
They are from GracieEdits.
Do you know os she’ll have the planner dating stickers available for purchase later?? Idk why I didn’t grab those when I preordered my a5 😒😅
I think so when they stock the extra planners.
Do you happen to know if a Sterling Ink is coming out a planner in passport size ? Thanks 🙏
I’ve asked her to create one but if she does it won’t be anytime soon. She’s focusing on other sizes first. But her notebooks will come out this month though and very excited.
I use a Takahashi passport planner and they are quite nice. I might have an extra 2023 if you need one. I can check
I honestly wish she had kept the lighter grid... but I ordered the A5 anyway!
I didn’t mind the light grid but I will say thus is barely darker. It’s a tad easier to see in my work planner than my EDC but not much. She didn’t want it dark and I appreciate that. So I think you’ll like your A5. What are you planning to use it for?
@@JustScribble im not sure yet! I’ve the cousin the last couple years and I really like it. I journal , scrapbook and common place in my dailies and plan in the weekly and monthlies. My only gripe is the dated dailies. So I’m either going to keep using my cousin, to finish this year out and save the undated for next year, or switch. I think I’ll decide when it comes in the mail! Haha. I am excited to be able to use all my stamps for dating things though
@@daniellecolucci3470 sounds like a great plan! I love the Cousin in concept but don’t care for the dated dailies but more so all the quotes and wasted functional space so I’ve been loving the CP A5 I’m using for work. I’m still getting my bearings but it’s going well so far 😅
would love if you could add "chapters" to this video ☺
The goal is always for everyone to watch the entire video so they don't miss any important information. But I'll add chapters to it tomorrow so check back!
@@JustScribble makes sense. I appreciate chapters if I want to go back to reference a video that way I can easily find the thing I am looking for
@@rachplans I completely understand! I’ve added the chapters so you should see them now. Thanks for checking back!
Agree with the quality control. Sterling Ink, like the other businesses which have launched similar planners & notebooks this past year, have their planners made in China 🇨🇳. Especially for these small businesses it’s really difficult to ensure quality of their products as generally you can expect the quality to be subpar and not up to our “Western” standards. It’s a headache to deal with these suppliers in China and the last thing you as a business want to do is skimp on costs and then deliver just mediocre quality planners in this case. My CP planner also fell apart after two months and I don’t even use many stickers, so I too am incredibly disappointed and went back to Hobonichi for now. Not sure if their products are actually produced in Japan or not, but their quality (control) is obviously stellar, similar to Stalogy and other Japanese brands. We will see what SI brings for 2024 and if the quality of the planners has significantly improved because I too absolutely love the layout and TRP paper of course! 🤞🏼🤞🏼❤
Sorry you had issues with your CP planner. I'm curious what cover you had on yours. I've got a theory brewing.
Definitely can’t compare SI and their brand new to the market planner to Hobonichi and Stalogy which are huge companies that have been in the business for years - Hobonichi has been around for almost 25 years. Every business especially small shops that have less than handful of employees (if that) are going to have to navigate the business as they branch out into other arenas and they’ll improve as they go taking feedback along the way but they also start these ventures with very little capital resources and are doing their best to try to fill a void in the planner community and we have to give them a little grace. I’m sure the product will improve over time and as they develop more business relationships overseas. Other small planner brands hit speed bumps along the way too in their initial years and have continued to improve and are now thriving. I expect SI will do the same.
my CommonPlanner sadly didn't last either - I am now using a Wonderland222. Catherine of SterlingInk is lovely and the Commonplanner is a great concept, but to have a planner not last the start of a year, is disappointing. I am hoping the CommonPlanner issues will resolve and the quality will be consistently high in the future